HAZMAT situation at Fairchild Air Force Base sends 14 to hospital

An unknown hazardous material at Fairchild Air Force Base near Spokane, Washington has sickened 24 people, 14 of whom were treated by base personnel and sent to a local hospital. The affected building has been evacuated.

The incident took place around 8:30 a.m. local time at the base’s Logistics Readiness Squadron in Building 2045, Air Force officials told KXLY.

Fairchild Air Force Base is located approximately 12 miles (20 km) southwest of Spokane. It’s host unit is the 92nd Air Refueling Wing, which is assigned to the Air Mobility Command’s 18th Air Force. It opened in March 1942.

Emergency responders are at the scene and investigating the incident, base officials said.

The two dozen base personnel “reported feeling affected by an unknown irritant,” the base said in a statement.

No lights, sirens or hazmat suits at the main gate of Fairchild Air Force Base, where 24 people felt sick this a.m. pic.twitter.com/wlWH1TA6Ll